BBC sued for $1.9m over Top Gear racism row

Top Gear co-host Jeremy Clarkson is in trouble again after an allegedly racist remark during the BBC show's Burma-based series finale.

Indian-born actress Somi Guha, who lives in London, has instructed lawyers to take action after Clarkson used the word "slope", a derogatory term for people of Asian descent, Mail Online reported.

The offending word was used after Clarkson and the show's other two hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, built a bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. The programme, the last in the latest series, is due to screen on Prime in NZ next Sunday.

After the bridge was finished, Clarkson said, "that's a proud moment, but there's a slope on it", as a man walked across the structure.

Hammond replied: "You're right it's definitely higher on that side".

Clarkson has responded to the allegation with a tweet saying: "I'm not a racist. I am currently sitting in a bar with a man who lives quite near Wales."

Guha claimed that broadcasting Clarkson's comment amounted to unlawful discrimination by a public body.

Her lawyers Equal Justice said Guha's action could cost the BBC £1 million (NZ$1.9 million) in punitive damages under equality laws unless it apologised and took Top Gear off the air.

In a formal written complaint to the BBC, Guha said casual racism in the media by established BBC stalwarts was constantly brushed aside.

She asked whether children watching Clarkson use pejorative terms for people of different races would think it was okay to bully and make racist comments.

In a letter to BBC Trust chairman, Lord Patten, on Guha's behalf, Equal Justice said Clarkson and the show must be censured,

"Please process this complaint as a matter of urgency and give due consideration to not recommissioning Top Gear for another series until these matters are addressed," he said.